Sunday, March 21, 2010

The old reaching for his waistband trick

The LA Times reports that LAPD Gang Enforcement officers Allan Corrales and George Diego fatally shot a Black man, 27-year-old Steven Eugene Washington, shortly after midnight on Saturday, March 20. According to his family, the report says, he had learning disabilities and was generally afraid of strangers. Word on the street is he was autistic. The report went on that officers feared for their lives because he didn't respond to their commands and - wait for it - he appeared to be reaching for his waistband.

When I read this story this morning, I couldn't help but think of something that my fitness coach, Erich Nall (aka Coach E) often says when any of us miss his sessions, for what we think are good reasons or whatever. He is hilarious, but a serious and qualified coach and nutritionist whose point hits home everytime.

Here's me: "Coach, sorry I didn't make workout. I had the flu.' Coach: "The old I had the flu trick. Give me 2 loops (miles), a stop sign, another loop, and kiss the baby (meaning you can go home).”

It is 2010. Can't law enforcement come up with anything else besides the old he was reaching for his waistband trick? ANYTHING? Somebody give them a hand. What other excuse can they use?

LOS ANGELES (FinalCall.com) - Abusive cops are costing already cash-strapped cities across the U.S. millions of dollars in settlements but civil rights activists and attorneys warn that the payouts will continue unless the criminal justice system begins to prosecute its out-of-control officers. http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_5669.shtml

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Sis. Charlene @ KJLH Radio

As former producer of the Front Page, I got a daily, ring side seat to news and analysis from some of the most hard-hitting scholars our communities have produced, many you're already familiar with. The show features daily listener comments and questions and on Mondays, I produced the Next Page, a mini-feature on issues impacting our people, but that were buried in the news. .